Drivers training

Ciara · Post by **Ciara** » 01 Mar 2019, 22:23

I have been with RM for 6 months now and they have asked me to do the drivers training. Was just wondering what it consists of as i have been told it will be 4 hours. I have heard mixed reports of it being a 40 minute drive nothing more. Others saying manoveurs, a small theory thing and a hazard perception test. Is anyone able to say what the training includes, if you have done it in the last month or so?
Only asking more to calm my nerves as i am sure it is a 2.3 tonne van i will have to druve and that is my biggest fear as i haven't driven something that size.

Ddarko85 · Post by **Ddarko85** » 01 Mar 2019, 22:43

I did my change over about 3 weeks ago.

It’s basically a few simple questions (non of it is a ‘test’ including the driving).

First took one of the small vans out - drove it to a car park and then back to the yard, lasted about a total of 15-20 minutes.

Then had to wait for a license check (the assessor will ring the DVLA and make sure you don’t have any points, see if it’s a clean license).

Then go out in one of the transits - this is the one that lasted about an hour. Just follow his directions.

I went in at 6:30am and was probably finished by 10-10.30am? So i’d say the whole thing last 3 hours (and 1 hour 20 minutes total of that was driving).

It’s nothing to worry about - trust me. Also, I never had driven a transit until that day and I actually preferred the transit to the smaller vans. All you’ve got to do is take your time, especially when reversing. You get a score at the end which is either high risk, medium risk or low risk.

Just take your time and be safe. It’s not so bad if it’s anything like my change over

Route1 · Post by **Route1** » 02 Mar 2019, 02:50

Just dont run over the same guy three times & you'll be fine.

Its not a driving test. Take your time and drive within the speed limit.

The instructor will point things like why its better to reverse pack into a bay etc.

Post by **greengiant** » 02 Mar 2019, 06:15

Don't do it after hours,unpaid

FirstPost · Post by **FirstPost** » 02 Mar 2019, 07:12

if you have a license is this mandatory? do you have to agree to it or can DOM just put you in for it without your asking?

Chalky13 · Post by **Chalky13** » 02 Mar 2019, 07:29

It’s 2-4 hours depending on who you get. Mine last year was 4 hours, the guy was thorough and spent over half that time talking in the room before and after.

A colleague got someone else, she passed him in 2 hours

It’s not a fail or pass test, but assessment. Simple and providing you don’t kill anyone, you’ll be fine. They highlight areas for improvement, Depending on your location, they’ll take you out for urban and rural driving.

As for compulsory, it’s now a requirement of new staff to be drivers and so you might find it hard to avoid unless you have a valid reason.

Chalky13 · Post by **Chalky13** » 02 Mar 2019, 07:31

Re: size, it’ll depend on what is available. I took out a short wheel base transit, so technically not allowed to drive anything longer for RM

Ciara · Post by **Ciara** » 02 Mar 2019, 07:36

Thanks everyone had just been given mixed reviews so that makes me deel better.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 02 Mar 2019, 12:31

FirstPost wrote:if you have a license is this mandatory? do you have to agree to it or can DOM just put you in for it without your asking?

Depends on how you were hired, and what's in your contract.

From around 2010-2012 99% of people will have been employed on an "Occasional Driving" basis, and if you are one you cannot refuse without there being some consequences.

Rapidryan88 · Post by **Rapidryan88** » 02 Mar 2019, 21:38

When I did mine the guy asked me some questions then we drove go Tesco for him to get coffee, drove back near depo did a parallel park in a gigantic free space then went back to depo. Lasted about 40 mins then I got to go home around 10 and paid for full day lol

Post by **Jahpostie** » 03 Mar 2019, 13:27

I started 5 weeks ago and there is nothing in my contract about driving.